Propyzamide Products from Interfarm now Approved

Two more propyzamide products, Flomide and Engage have been re-registered and have received Approval from PSD, just in time for use by both oilseed rape and winter bean growers. Rates and timings for rape and beans remain unchanged.

"Whilst there have been some relatively minor changes in the labels and label layouts, the rates of use of Flomide and Engage remain the same. This is particularly important for oilseed rape and winter bean growers who are trying to combat black-grass, where propyzamide remains one of the few remaining products active on any strain of this difficult grass-weed in either of these crops. The higher dose rates will give maximum persistence," says Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager for Interfarm UK Ltd.

"In oilseed rape propyzamide has a wide window of application of four months, from the 1st of October right through to the end of January and so there will be plenty of opportunity to use this key active when conditions are more conducive to its high performance. In winter beans it can be used pre-emergence of the crop within seven days of drilling."

"To get maximum weed control from propyzamide, soil temperatures need to be low so that long persistence is achieved throughout the weed germination period. Good levels of soil moisture are also needed to help the herbicide penetrate the top layer of the soil profile. In many cases the current conditions may not yet be suitable for Flomide or Engage, with the soil temperatures being several degrees above normal. Applications of propyzamide should be delayed until soil temperatures are cooler," advises Dr Stormonth.

"Propyzamide works on all strains of black-grass and rye-grass, with no resistance having ever been identified. Because of the widespread nature of black-grass resistance and the need for a long-term strategy across all crops, the integration of Engage or Flomide into an effective black-resistance management plan is essential these days."

Propyzamide is available from Interfarm as Engage (50% wettable powder and MAPP Number 14233) and Flomide (400g/L suspension concentrate and MAP number 14223. Both are recommended in winter oilseed rape, winter beans and a wide range of other crops for the control of cereal volunteers, annual meadow-grass, black-grass, brome, wild-oats, chickweed, bindweed, fat hen, redshank, small nettle speedwells and black nightshade. In oilseed rape, Engage is recommended at 1.4 kg or 1.7 kg/ha and Flomide at 1.7 l/ha or 2.1 l/ha. Engage and Flomide are compatible with pyrethroid insecticides, graminicides and relevant fungicides including Quell Flo (mancozeb).

The new label for Flomide includes more crops that previously and include winter oilseed rape, winter field beans, apple, blackcurrant, blackberry, gooseberry, loganberry, pear, plum, raspberry, redcurrant, strawberry; seed crops of fodder rape, kale, red clover, turnip, white clover, sugar beet; lettuce, lucerne, rhubarb, amenity vegetation, farm forestry, forest nursery and hedgerows.

Engage is approved for use on winter oilseed rape, winter field beans, apple, blackcurrant, blackberry, gooseberry, loganberry, pear, plum, raspberry, redcurrant, strawberry; seed crops of fodder rape, kale, red clover, turnip, white clover, sugar beet; lettuce, lucerne, rhubarb, amenity vegetation, farm forestry, forest nursery and hedgerows.

For further comment and information, please contact Dr. David Stormonth, Technical Manager, Interfarm UK Ltd. on 01354 741414 or 07818 036506 (mobile) or via e-mail david.stormonth@interfarm.co.uk